It Takes A Team! Director Pat Griffin interviewed clinical psychologist Ron Holt regarding his use of the It Takes A Team! DVD.
PG: How did you first learn about the It Takes A Team! DVD?
RH: A college professor told me about the DVD about two years ago. I learned more about it online and began using it in 2008.
PG: What audiences do you work with?
RH: When I began lecturing nine years ago, the target audiences were mostly education majors who would be dealing with homophobia as future teachers and coaches at all educational levels. Over the years, I began speaking to the Sports Management and Sports in American Culture classes. Once I learned about the It Takes A Team! DVD, I worked with the college to organize a presentation specifically using the DVD and related curriculum. About 100 participants, including students, collegiate athletes, the college athletic director and staff, attended the presentation. The president and athletic director have been very supportive of this work.
PG: What was your initial motivation for wanting to teach about homophobia in athletics?
RH: When I was a student-athlete at WSC, there were no openly gay role models at the college. I remained closeted and was always worried that my sexuality would become an issue if it were known. The constant worry of being “outed” impacted my performance in class and on the track. I don’t want any student-athlete to go through their collegiate experience feeling afraid or not supported due to their sexual orientation. Once I completed my training as a clinical psychiatrist, I knew I could make an educational difference in the lives of those student-athletes that are in the same environment that I once was.
PG: How have different audiences responded to the It Takes A Team! DVD and discussions about LGBT issues in sport?
RH: I have used the It Takes A Team! DVD once so far. The DVD and discussion were well-received by student-athletes as well as college faculty, and they asked a lot of good questions. I plan to use the DVD in more presentations over the coming years.
PG: As a teacher, what is your biggest challenge in teaching about homophobia in sport?
RH: My biggest challenge in teaching is to overcome the perception that sexuality is a choice. It has been my experience that a majority of the target audience struggles with feelings that GLBT athletes choose their sexuality. This misconception must be clarified before athletes can come to accept their teammates or discuss homophobia on the team. I have found it is helpful to take a few minutes to discuss the definition and etiology of sexual orientation, as well as to discuss how sexual orientation is not a choice. This goes a long way to educate the audience and open the dialogue. Through numerous discussions, I have found that addressing these issues at the start have helped to remove barriers and allow homophobia to be discussed more openly among student athletes.
PG: What is your biggest success?
RH: My biggest success has been the expansion of audiences that I have had the opportunity to speak with over the years. Nine years ago I began speaking with three psychology classes at WSC. Last year I was able to have 15 different presentations, which included adding a local community college and my alma mater medical school. I am a big believer in giving back. I pay for all of my time, expertise and travel costs each year to give these presentations. I feel it is my responsibility to give back for what education and life have afforded me.
PG: How have student-athletes’ responses to discussing LGBT issues in sport changed over the years you have been leading these sessions?
RH: Over the years, I have definitely noticed that people in general are much more educated in their thinking about sexuality and sexual orientation. Over the years the audiences have become more open and appreciative to learn about the biology of sexuality. In the past, it was common for people to believe that sexual orientation was a choice. With education, this belief seems less common.
PG: What differences do you see in how men and women athletes respond to discussions about homophobia in sport?
RH: Over the years I have found women are more comfortable discussing GLBT issues. Men still seem to have a more difficult time discussing and accepting GLBT athletes. Men may feel more threatened and have greater anxiety with regard to their masculinity.
PG: Do you have openly gay or lesbian athletes in your classes? Do they speak out about their experiences? How do their classmates respond?
RH: Over the years more openly gay student-athletes have discussed the repercussions of homophobia they have experienced. It seems classmates are becoming more responsive and aware of how their homophobic behavior greatly affects others.
PG: Is there anything else you’d like to say about your classes or homophobia in sport?
RH: I feel society has come a long way in understanding GLBT issues in the nine years that I have been lecturing. I certainly look forward to the day when homophobia is no longer an issue and when my presentations are no longer needed. Until then, I will continue educating others.
PG: Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts with us and also for giving of your time so generously to help create a more welcoming climate in athletics for LGBT athletes and coaches.